"We encourage audience members to dress up as outrageously as they like," said Tom Smith, ASTC's managing director. "We will also be selling prop bags which may be used during the production. However, due to actor safety, we are asking audiences to not bring in any outside prop items. Since the musical is a bit different than the film, audience participation will also be a bit different in terms of what to yell when."

The show famously follows "one fateful evening in the lives of a clean-cut, newly engaged couple Brad and Janet as their car breaks down outside of Dr. Frank 'N' Furter's castle. Once inside, their lives will never be the same," according to a synopsis provided by ASTC.

"We've really assembled some of Las Cruces' best talent for this production. We are thrilled to bring this campy, hilarious, and outrageous musical to our community," Smith said.

The musical includes classic songs such as "Sweet Transvestite" and "The Time Warp.

Michael Wise is director and Megan Gorby is stage manager, with musical direction by Della Bustamante and Megan McQueen, choreography by Rueben Provencio, scenic and lighting design by Jim Billings, sound and video design by Matt Reynolds and costume design by Raul Carrasco.

Dr. Christa Slaton, dean of NMSU's College of Arts and Sciences, will host a a special opening night reception today during intermission and after the show.

Tickets, at $10 to 15, are available at the Hershel Zohn Theatre Box office between noon and 4 p.m. or by calling 575-646-4515 or 646-1420. Performance times are 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays.

S. Derrickson Moore can be reached at (575) 541-5450. Follow her on Twitter @DerricksonMoore.

If you go

What: Richard O'Brien's "The Rocky Horror Show," produced by American Southwest Theatre Company at NMSU